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7 Signs You Need to Reset Your Dating Expectations

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More often than not, early dates are spent searching for some sign as to whether or not you’re a good match for the person sitting across the table from you.

There’s no science behind meeting Mrs. Right, but if you find yourself down and out time and again, you might be setting the bar too high—or worse, too low. Holding out for a better fit—or settling for a so-so chick—is common, and setting the right expectations isn’t always easy. If any of the following scenarios apply to you, it may be time to adjust your standards to find the woman you're looking for.

1. You worry about her fitting in

It’d be great if she connected with your crew, but worrying too much about how others will react to her makes it harder to figure out whether you like her, says April Beyer, a dating and relationship coach.

The fix: “Falling in love requires bravery,” Beyer says. Trust your own intuition: If your gut says yes to a second date with a sweet but socially awkward girl, then go for it, even if you know your best guy friend would roll his eyes. “If you like her and have fun with her, that’s the only thing that matters, and following your gut can help you home in on what really turns you on,” Beyer explains.

2. Your first question is "What do you do?"

It’s fine to want to date a woman who’s ambitious, but a title and paycheck doesn’t tell you anything about who someone is as a person, Beyer says. Her values—whether or not she wants kids, how commitment-oriented she is—are a lot more essential to a healthy relationship, adds Kate Stewart, a Seattle-based therapist and dating coach. “Making sure those things match up are a lot more indicative of whether or not a romance will last than superficial details like salary."

The fix: Go ahead and have a list of things you want in a girl, but put the things you need at the top, and the things you want at the bottom, Beyer says. Needs are dealbreakers, but wants are negotiable.

3. You have a type

Maybe you always date free-spirited girls or find yourself going after more intellectual, serious types. That’s fine—as long as you’re occasionally open to dating someone different. “If you’re always dating the same type, you may not even realize all the other qualities you’re attracted to,” Beyer says. It’s like ordering the same dish every time you go to your favorite restaurant. You know it’s good, but you may be missing out on something even better.

The fix: Go out with that girl your friend thinks you’d be great with—even if she doesn’t sound like someone you'd usually date. “If she’s remotely funny or interesting, try another date,” Stewart says. While the second date may not lead to love, it can help break the cycle of only considering one type of girl.

4. You talk up people's flaws

When you tell the guys what happened on your date, pay attention to what you share. If the first thing you do is make fun of how she pronounced "chianti," it could be a sign you are looking for flaws, Beyer says. “People will be nervous and say awkward things on a first date, but if you’re not looking for those moments, it’s easier to see the big picture of all the good things the girl has going for her."

The fix: Unless she spilled wine on your lap on purpose or cursed out the waiter, get in the habit of finding something nice to say. It’ll help train your brain to look for reasons why a girl may be a potential match instead of proof she definitely isn’t.

5. You rush into calling her your girlfriend

When you're single and it seems all your friends have a girl, it’s hard not to want a plus-one. But are you dating her because you like her or because she’s there?

The fix: If you notice yourself falling into "blah" relationships, think about how you describe these girls to your friends.Discussing external attributes—"she has a great job"—rather than specific anecdotes and internal traits—"she’s so funny"—may be a sign that you don't really know the women you date, says Anita Chlipala, a dating and relationship expert. Instead of settling for any girl who wants to spend time with you, be sure you're excited to see your girlfriend.

6. Every date involves alcohol

From happy hours to long dinners over wine, it’s easy to fall for someone when you’ve got a steady buzz going. But it’s not only alcohol that can mess with your true feelings. “When you’re always going out to new places and doing new things, you may think you like her, when you’re really just hooked on the adrenaline rush of novelty,” Beyer says.

The fix: Part of the fun of dating is going out on the town, but being equally cool spending an evening at home is key for a long-term relationship. Alternate high-octane dates with low-key hangouts to see if the connection holds up.

7. You tend to sleep with girls quickly

Occasionally intense chemistry is overwhelming, and it doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed if you did end up sleeping together on the first date. But when you get intimate too quickly, you may feel like you know each other better than you actually do, Chlipala says.

The fix: You want a girl who wants to spend time with you inside and outside the bedroom. But if you hop right to the sack, you may be sending the wrong message. If things moved too quickly right off the bat—or if you're trying to break a bad habit of sex early on in the dating process—forget the drinks and dinner scene. Touring a museum, going on a hike, or riding bikes around the city are all fun ways to suss out if you’re compatible when clothes are on.